Smoke testing of the City’s sanitary sewer lines will occur in the area of E Locust and Middle Rd between Fernwood and Pineacre on Wednesday, September 12th and Thursday, September 13th. The testing is being conducted as part of efforts to identify and develop plans to reduce storm water entry into the sanitary sewer system.
The smoke used in this process is non-toxic, non-staining, has no odor, is white to gray in color and creates no fire hazard.
When testing is being conducted, a dense grayish/white smoke is blown through the sanitary sewers from a manhole. The smoke travels the sanitary sewer line and may appear coming from the ground, roof drains, catch basins, house vent stacks or foundation drains connected to the system. Smoke coming from the ground, catch basins and other parts of the storm water system help to identify the location of defects in the sanitary sewer line or cross connections between the storm and sanitary systems. Residents should be aware that the appearance of smoke coming from house vent stacks is normal, or expected.
Residents in the testing area will receive a door hanger with additional information and instruction as testing is conducted.